New figures reveal that more than £45 million of National Lottery funding has been invested in West Lothian since the National Lottery began almost 25 years ago.

Thanks to National Lottery players, lives of ordinary people have been transformed across the area over the past quarter of a century.

Over 1100 National Lottery grants have been awarded since 1994, helping to strengthen communities, power local sports teams, protect the environment, unleash creative talent and look after the elderly and those at risk.

A wide variety of local projects have received National Lottery funding over the last 25 years.

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The largest ever National Lottery grant in West Lothian was £2.1million awarded in June 2003 to the Cockburn Conservation Trust for Blackburn House.

The first ever National Lottery grant was £218,000 awarded to the Nasmyth Bridge in Almondell Country Park in June 1995.

However, most National Lottery grantsare for £10,000 or less and recent awards include £6250 to Ladywell Playgroup in Livingston to replace worn out equipment and to provide trips out; £7220 to the Bennie Museum in Bathgate to replace the heating system in their Stables extension and £4000 to Radio Grapevine to replace the sound desk at their St John’s Hospital radio station.

Jonathan Tuchner from The National Lottery says: “Since its launch 25 years ago, The National Lottery has changed lives the length and breadth of the UK.

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“It’s all down to local people who choose to do incredible things with National Lottery funding, changing their communities for the better, step by step. I look forward to what we can achieve together over the next 25 years.”

Now any organisation that has received National Lottery funding, has the chance to gain nationwide acclaim by entering the 25th Birthday National Lottery Awards - the search for the UK’s favourite ever National Lottery-funded projects.

National Lottery Awards winners will receive a £10,000 cash prize and national recognition at a glittering ceremony broadcast on BBC One later in the year.

Last year, Fiona Coldron won the Special Achievement Award for her work with her family run charity ‘Something To Look Forward To.’ The charity supports thousands of families affected by cancer and the resulting financial hardship by providing ‘gifts’ and ‘experiences’ that have been donated by individuals and businesses.

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Fiona said: “As a result of the National Lottery Award, ‘Something To Look Forward To’ has received both local and national press coverage which has resulted in us reaching and supporting more people affected by cancer. We also received new gift and experience donations including a flight in a helicopter as well as long term financial donors, both of which are imperative for our vital service to continue.”

Fiona’s daughter Francesca who also works for the charity said: “Seeing my mum win the National Lottery Award was one of the best moments of my life. I hope it motivates other people living with cancer to achieve big things despite their diagnosis.”

To enter your favourite project in this year’s National Lottery Awards, complete an entry form through the website https://www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/awards.